from the ridiculous to the disgusting

[chelidon]

Some see Virgin Mary in underpass stain

Okay, I have to admit that when I first read the hed, I thought it said "underpants stain." Then again, how is that any less holy than some kind of chemical salt leaching into an expressway underpass and staining the concrete? I'm sure some theologian can explain it to me.

And this just makes me ill.

From the article:

Conservatives have been pushing to get the Senate to confirm President Bush's most conservative judicial nominees, which Senate Democrats are blocking. The House has no power over which judges are given lifetime appointments to the federal bench.

However, DeLay has called repeatedly for the House to find a way to hold the federal judiciary accountable for its decisions. "The judiciary has become so activist and so isolated from the American people that it's our job to do that," he said.

One way would be for the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the clause in the Constitution that says "judges can serve as long as they serve with good behavior," he said. "We want to define what good behavior means. And that's where you have to start."

Here comes the fascist revival. Here come the new McCarthy hearings. No longer will those of us not in lock-step with the Christian Right be branded "communists" or worse, "liberals." No, the new name for proper devotion to The Bible and Those in Charge, the kind of life to which all Right-thinking People should aspire is, "Good Behavior." DeLay and his folk greatly desire to define exactly what that means, and how it shall be enforced. The crime with which evil-doers will be charged, and under which we will all be punished, is... "Bad Behavior." You heard it here first.

"Good Behavior" is what you ask of children, not Supreme Court Justices. But to people like DeLay, and his sick, twisted version of God, we are all unruly, truant children, needing to be properly led, and when necessary, harshly punished to prevent sins like independent thought and the burning desire for justice -- obvious barriers to the implementation of a true NeoCon Christian State.

How did we get here? And how do we go someplace very, very different from where we are? I think DeLay has a point, it has to do with behavior, it has to do with what we do, not what we say, or what we think we believe. It has to do with our behavior, each and every one of us.

May we all behave very, very "badly" when it is right for us to do so.

Comments

[toasterstrumpet.livejournal.com]

"How did we get here? And how do we go someplace very, very different from where we are? I think DeLay has a point, it has to do with behavior, it has to do with what we do, not what we say, or what we think we believe. It has to do with our behavior, each and every one of us."

Very well said.

[morrigandaughtr.livejournal.com]

You know, I think the thing that disturbs me the most about this is that no one in power of whatever party is saying anything about this. Not calling it bullshit or even approving of it - but just letting it pass as if it's *normal* and *reasonable.* I feel like I've gone down the rabbit hole (without going to Vermont to do it).

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Exactly, and that is what makes me more concerned than almost anything else. The neocons have, to at least an extent, shifted the perception of what is normal. That's not good. I can only hope and work for a coming backlash, and desire that it not take a pendulum swing all the way into genuine fascism/theocracy for it to happen. Particularly, what happens when oil hits $75 or $100/barrel (as it will), and the economy crumbles, or at least stagnates? If what's happening now is what happens in what is, really, comparatively a Golden Age in terms of living standards for most Americans, what happens when things really get rough? Maybe we get some sense knocked into us (it could happen), or maybe we go the way of Germany in the 1930's. Oi.

One of the reasons the far northeast appealed to me was that religious fundamentalism, while not completely unknown here, is still pretty much seen as a weird abberation in this fiercely individualistic region. I mean, it's just *rude* to push your personal faith on someone else... ;> We probably have more Unitarians and Quakers than Baptists up here, and I find that something of a comfort.

Speaking of Vermont, it's looking possible that I'll be doing a Trickster/Fool path, focusing on individual and community shadow-work, using the Cheshire Cat (and perhaps a few others ;>) as an ally/guide... (*tempt, tempt*) :>

[toasterstrumpet.livejournal.com]

Yes. Exactly.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

I just read this (http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/042005E.shtml), which made me giggle even as it made me mad, for describing Bill Frist as a "person of pander." Luscious.

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

Okay. Firstly I saw a Yeti quite clearly in that underpass/underwear stain. Somebody get Rev. Stang on the phone... ;>

Secondly:

"May we all behave very, very "badly" when it is right for us to do so."

Amen, my dear Bro. For example, I'm fully considering having another one of those splendiforous thingies you mixed for me, but that would be reeeeeeally bad right now. Clinic tomorrow morning. Too early. I'll behave badly tomorrow night... ;>

Thanks for the drink recipe, Bonnie! (*squeeze*)